Computer question: Can I remove multiple instances of iTunes, Java Runtime Environment?

[LTR]

I've been going through some old programs, courtesy of "Add or Remove Programs," and have noticed that I currently have two versions of iTunes installed (or so it seems). I have 7.0.1.8 and 7.6.0.29 showing on there. Is there a way to make it so that I only have the latest version, without removing all my settings, etc.?

I also noticed that there are many updates of Java Runtime Environment (J2SE) installed. They take on the guises of Update 2, Update 3, Update 5 and so on. Is it possible to remove all but the latest comprehensive update (if there is indeed one)? And can I do this via "Add or Remove Programs?" I'm looking to trim some fat on my system, and this seems like an obvious place to start. These are really big files. Thanks much.

[NJmaverick]

1. What sort of fat are you looking to trim?

I would be careful about things like this. It can create unnneeded headaches.

[LTR]

2. Just these two things, and a few old programs that I never use anymore

I don't see the logic of having what appears to be two versions of iTunes, and wonder why Java installs so many bloated updates on my system, and why so many show up on my list of programs. The Java ones are each over 100Mb. Hell, at least Windows Updates install over themselves. This just all seems so redundant, but I'm afraid to touch anything (particularly iTunes) lest the whole thing disappears.

[NJmaverick]

4. The number of installed programs, is sort of meaningless

The number running in the background, could bog down your system. If you are short of hard drive space, then there are other options that can be more productive. I would be careful about deleting things for the sake of deleting.

[LTR]

5. update

I found more documentation on Apple's website, where they said that I could delete the old iTunes without losing it altogether. Same with Java.

I uninstalled old, redundant instances of them and even upgraded to the most recent iTunes. Everything went well.

As for background programs, I check these quite often, and only have a few things that start up with the system (such as Avast). I should double-check now to make sure Apple didn't hijack my startup process with the Quicktime update (as those dirty bastards often do). I also used the Black Viper-recommended settings for system resource usage. They've done well for me.

My goal was to clean out the large amount of useless programs, i.e. stuff I installed myself that I hardly ever use. I'm pretty careful about what I uninstall and what I don't. I was just a little cautious about the Apple and Java stuff.

[LTR]

3. Okay, I found this in regard to Java

http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=787801&messageID=4480159